THE OUTLOOK; September, 2023 | Author: VanKempen | Volume: Vol 73 Issue 5 2023

Thou art become guilty in thy blood that thou hast shed; and hast defiled thyself in thine idols which thou hast made, and thou hast caused thy days to draw near, and art come even unto thy years.  –Ezekiel 22:4a, KJV

As our nation begins to get involved in another election cycle, we hear much about what those running for office can do for the country, and this is needed for us to make a choice, but God is not in the thoughts of those running for office. 

“For that they hated knowledge, and did not choose the fear of the Lord: They would none of my counsel: they despised all my reproof. Therefore shall they eat of the fruit of their own way, and be filled with their own devices. For the turning away of the simple shall slay them, and the prosperity of fools shall destroy them” (Prov. 1:29–32).We, as a nation, have turned our backs on God our creator and sustainer. We forget he’s in control even when things seem to be out of control. Jesus Christ is on the throne and does rule, and we all shall have to give an account of our actions. Psalm 2 gives us a word picture of this. Psalter 3 is a versified reflection titled “The Kingship of Jesus Christ.”

Wherefore do the nations rage and the people vainly dream that in triumph they can wage war against the King supreme? Christ His Son a scoff they make, and the rulers plotting say: Their dominion let us break, let us cast their yoke away.

But the Lord will scorn them all, calm He sits enthroned on high; soon His wrath will on them fall, sore displeased He will reply: Yet according to My will I have set My King to reign, and on Zion’s holy hill my anointed I maintain.

This His word shall be made known, this Jehovah’s; firm decree: Thou art My beloved Son, Yea, I have begotten Thee. All the earth at Thy request I will give Thee for Thy own; then Thy might shall be made known; Then Thy foes be overthrown.

Therefore, kings, be wise, give ear; hearken, judges of the earth; learn to serve the Lord with fear, mingle trembling with your mirth. Kiss the Son, lest o’er your way His consuming wrath should break; but supremely blest are they who in Christ their refuge take.

May God’s true people arise from their sleep and turn to him who saved them, begging him to turn the hearts of our leaders to return to his law and testimonies. But above all we pray that God will make us willing to bow under his will even if this is contrary to what we want, and suffer persecution for following him.

“Now we beseech you, brethren, by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and by our gathering together unto him, that ye be not soon shaken in mind, or be troubled, neither by spirit, nor by word, nor by letter as from us, as that the day of Christ is at hand” –2 Thess. 2:1–2

There is hope, but not in ourselves.

“Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord” –1 Cor. 15:58

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Mr. Cornelius Van Kempen known as Case, has been married to Susan for fifty-seven blessed years. They attend and are members of Heritage Reformed Congregation in Grand Rapids, MI.